Contributed by: maverickScott(others by this writer | submit your own)Published on May 18th 2004In the two years since Piebald's last album We Are The Only Friends We Have, the band has toured America more times than I can even remember, watched as singer Travis Shettel had to go under the knife for throat surgery, and as a bizarre coup de gras, aligned themselves with SideOneDummy, home to m.

Well, if anything, the band got weirder. But somehow, in that weirdness, they got more consistent. On Friends, the good songs - "American Hearts," "Just A Simple Plan" - were great. But the album was plagued with quite a few not-so-good songs to accompany the gems, thus making the album a wholly unbalanced affair. The band has remedyed that on this disc, sort of. None of the 12 real songs [there's also 3 interludes] on here are as instantly infectious as the ones I mentioned from the last album, but on the other end of the coin, none of the 12 songs are incredible duds, either.

The instrumentation is decidedly more ambitious on this disc than ever before, with the band making good use of piano in songs like the bouncy "Haven't Tried It." "All Senses Lost" is a fun 6/8 number that would be a great slow song at senior prom in an alternate universe. The band's quirky pop song chops get a good workout through the disc's opening salvo of "The Benefits Of Ice Cream," "Present Tense," and "Human Taste Test." Time signatures change, guitar lines cut through power chords, Shettel's newly repaired voice howls, and you'll find your head bobbing more than once.

Even though their last disc had stronger individual tracks, the flow here is so much better that it just makes this album easier to listen to than past efforts. It's not groundbreaking by any means, but there's worse things to be listening to right now.

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Fine Print: The following comments are owned by whoever posted them. We are not respon
sible for them in any way. Seriously.

Anonymous (March 29, 2005)

How can a band with such a bad singer be around for so long (what is it, like 11-12 years now?)?

Also, how could a band with such a huuuge progression in sound from then til now and a bad singer, hold such a special place in my heart. I would want no one else besides Travis fronting this band. Piebald is love.

i never hate on a band
i respect every genre of music from hardcore to pop punk
i hate being a hypocrite
BUT...
this is the worst album ive bought all year. a total letdown.
the last album was good. i saw them live with saves the day and they were good. and now this mess.
i dont get it, what happened?

Anonymous (May 30, 2004)

you guys are all dicks who say this cd is bad. i saw piebald live with brand new/denali/kevin devine and it was fucking sick, i really like piebald now and this cd is great. talked to luke for a long time, and hes a great guy also. theyre not trying to get on trl for anyone who thinks so. theyre simply trying to get their music to be out there and be heard doing what they love to do. if it werent for venetian blinds is such a good cd also and im still yet to buy we are the only friends we have, but ive heard multiple songs on it such as just a simple plan and its so good. buy this cd, you'll be happy. travis has a great voice and they sound so different then every fucking cliche band out there.

"and your chance is coming soon. so get ready. and the night is caving in."

Anonymous (May 27, 2004)

i thought this review sucked, so i bought the CD thinking it could be as good as their last lp, but this record sucks. there are only like 3 or 4 listenable songs onthe whole fucking thing. the lyrics are horrible and don't go along with the songs well at all. i love piebald, but this record is a blatant attempt at getting on TRL,. Fortunately it's so bad that it never will. "The Benefits of Ice Cream" sucks ass, too. What the fuck happened to good lyrics like in "fat and skinny asses" and "rules for mules" and "rich people can breed" and "fear and loathing on cape cod"?
shit piebald get it back together.

Anonymous (May 22, 2004)

piebald rules. since "scott" failed to give a proper review, let me break it down for you. This album only shows hints of Piebald of the past. It is not the heavy hard rock and the crazy time changes and tongue - in -cheek humor it used to be, but this album is good. Lots of catchy tunes, including quite a few ones with exceptional paino by travis shettel , the song writer, lead vocalist and guitarist. It is different, fun, and might even take a few listens to be like, "wow, these guys rock!" If i can't get you to buy this one get piebalds older albums like "If It Were'nt for Venetian Blinds It Would Be Curtains For Us All." The major change in music style must've been the change in record company. Again, another A effort and execution by Piebald.

Anonymous (May 21, 2004)

hell yea KOUFAX!!!

Anonymous (May 21, 2004)

Koufax rules!!!

Anonymous (May 21, 2004)

"The Benefits of Ice Cream" rocks... I

Anonymous (May 21, 2004)

all filler, all hype, all washed up

Anonymous (May 21, 2004)

Ever wonder why milktoast bands like Piebald get anywhere? Me too!

Anonymous (May 21, 2004)

I'm amazed that someone had the balls to even mention koufax. That band is terrible, like a bad cover band of mediocre emo.

Anonymous (May 20, 2004)

This is awesome, liked it better than the last one.

Anonymous (May 20, 2004)

Why has no one mentioned how much this cd sounds like, the most underappreciated cd ever, koufax- social life... It sounds like piebald covered the album

Anonymous (May 20, 2004)

sideone sent a copy to the record store i work at. First I thought the songs werent as catchy as friends but after listening to the record a couple of times I cant put it down. this might be piebalds pinkerton

Anonymous (May 20, 2004)

This album does require some time to grow on a person, but after that it is super catchy and good. It's no Venetian Blinds or Only Friends We Have but it is different in a good way. Bring back the piano. Where did it go?

Anonymous (May 20, 2004)

the dude asking for some indy classics should check out fugazi's the arguement and archers of loaf's 'icky mettle'. thats a start.

oh yea piebald is ok

Anonymous (May 19, 2004)

Kid touchers

Anonymous (May 19, 2004)

i LOVED we are the only friends we have. i saw them live, they played some new songs, i wasn't really into them. but maybe i'd like them better if they had a chance to grow on me, i dunno. i think i'll wait for someone else to buy it and then listen and see what i think.

Anonymous (May 19, 2004)

old cd was way better

Anonymous (May 19, 2004)

anyone remember "if it wasn't for venitian blinds it would be curtains for all of us".....not only one of the best album titles but this was a great cd of theirs. the last album was decent...alot of filler but the songs that rocked...R O C K E D. Going to pick up the new album today.

Anonymous (May 19, 2004)

score is for this guy, what a bitch

"i like this better than nfg's new one,i just saw these guys at skate and surf and i'm gonna see em thursday in the city,and ALSO buying a piebald cd was the icebreaker with this super hottie at this record store"

Anonymous (May 19, 2004)

i havent heard the whole thing, but i think ive quite deciiided IIIIIIII will buy it after i deliver pizzas tonight.

Hey Scott,
When did you start writing about time singnatures? I've noticed that on a few reviews lately. 6/8 is allright. Yay for badass 7/8 breakdowns.

Anonymous (May 19, 2004)

I like it, and fail to understand why people think it's weird. It reminds me of a punkier Shins.

Anonymous (May 19, 2004)

This is one of those albums that the band is super proud of because they put so much effort and musicianship into, but the fans don't usually like that much just because the songs are fucking weird. I like it, but it doesnt hold a candle to the last album. In my humble opinion, every song on the last one was a fucking hit. It gets a 7/10 just because.

Anonymous (May 19, 2004)

this band needs to fucking GIVE UP.

Anonymous (May 19, 2004)

i like their last record better than this one. the production here and the vocals get to me but in a weird way. it's still ok.

Ramo

Anonymous (May 19, 2004)

i like this better than nfg's new one,i just saw these guys at skate and surf and i'm gonna see em thursday in the city,and ALSO buying a piebald cd was the icebreaker with this super hottie at this record store

Anonymous (May 19, 2004)

"When Life Hands You Lemons" is still their best album. "Holden Caulfield" is such a good song...too bad they never play it anymore.

Anonymous (May 18, 2004)

This is the Piebald record I have been F%*kn waiting for. got it today..piebald rocks if you dont think so then you are gay.

Anonymous (May 18, 2004)

great record, especially the opening track

Anonymous (May 18, 2004)

After getting the cd before it came out i thought it was a lot different than "We Are The Only Friends We Have" but after I saw them live in Wochester Mass the new stuff just sounds better. PIEBALD = Great Live Band. Check them out at the warped tour if they stop by your state...

Anonymous (May 18, 2004)

everything about this record sucks, even the name sounds like simpson plans last cd name

Anonymous (May 18, 2004)

This score is for the review.

Not that I didn't know, but this review doesn't help the reader understand what this band sounds like or makes music about.

Anonymous (May 18, 2004)

I looooooved it ! Probably the indie album of the year, but you have to consider the obvious fact that I don't usually listen to indie music. Any recommendations on indie "classics" ?